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New NBL bid team confident

Basketball Roy Ward

NBL Tiger's David Barlow in the sights of a new Melbourne team. Photo: Joe Armao

MELBOURNE Camouflage will attempt to lure Boomers guard David Barlow back to the National Basketball League should the group win a licence to field a second Melbourne team.

Camouflage officials have met with Basketball Australia chief executive Larry Sengstock and are confident they will play in the 2012-2013 NBL season.

The businessman behind the bid, who asked to remain anonymous, said Sengstock had outlined what was required to get a licence. The Camouflage expects to lodge its bid by mid-September.

''I am extremely confident that we will be able to meet all the requirements and be granted an NBL licence,'' he said. ''We have kept a very close eye on the under-19 world championships and are excited by the level of talent that may be available next year.

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''We are also waiting to see where Barlow signs to play next season, as we definitely see him as a franchise player that we can build a championship-calibre team around.''

Leading Australian under-19 players Hugh Greenwood (New Mexico), Jackson Aldridge (Butler), Anthony Drmic and Igor Hadziomerovic (both Boise State) are all signed with US colleges.

BA confirmed the meeting but declined to offer any further comment.

The Age understands the league made it clear any bid would have to meet all relevant financial criteria, among other conditions to be awarded a licence. The league remains focused on introducing a Brisbane franchise as its priority, although it's not clear whether a second Melbourne team could be introduced first. A second Melbourne group is also still in the running for the licence but that group has yet to stake its claim.